Inspired By Mom, Galloway’s Mara Justine Advances on ‘The Voice’

Mara Justine, the Galloway, NJ singer competing on NBC's The Voice has advanced to the Knockout round.

Mara was paired with Claudia B on Tuesday night's Battles round, singing Dusty Springfield's Memphis soul classic "Son of a Preacher Man". While none of the judges found fault with Claudia B's performance, it was clear that Mara Justine had won the night.

Gwen Stefani called the performance "flawless," giving the edge to Mara for her "star quality."

Even at 21, it would be hard to find a contestant with more practical experience than Mara Justine, who is competing in her third network TV singing competition. She appeared on NBC's America's Got Talent in 2014 and advanced to the top 14 on Fox-TV's American Idol in 2018.

Add her natural talent and years of experience doing club and charity gigs around South Jersey, Mara's a seasoned pro with a smokey, soulful voice who will be hard to beat.

But there's one other factor driving Mara Justine during her experience on The Voice.

Linda Platt, Mara's mom, and number one fan, is in treatment for breast cancer.

Linda, the woman Mara Justine calls "the strongest woman she knows", is the person who holds her family together and has been there at every step of Mara's development.

Now she's providing the singer with the inspiration to reach a little deeper and try a little harder as she shines in the national spotlight.

The Knockout rounds on NBC's The Voice begin Monday and Tuesday, Nov 6 & 7.